Spar Wars

Having to finalise the specification for the new mast prompted a reflection on how we came to make our choice which is certainly a topic of conversation on forums. Initially we'd hoped to be able to use the original mast with a bit of patching to cover the wear at the partners but corrosion underneath the fittings condemned it to scrap. We feel more than a bit peeved that the surveyor didn't report it as this is quite obvious now and we should have been able to negotiate a price reduction.

Nevertheless there are advantages in a new mast, it should be trouble free for our ownership, look better and keep the water that was cascading in, out. The obvious choice for a Contessa is a Selden mast, the company who bought out Kemp, the original supplier. They're big, with a lot going for them, but not inexpensive. The main alternative turned out to be Z Spars who seem to offer all that's needed for a predominantly cruising yacht and were prompt and efficient. I seems just like buying a car, the initial base price is not too painful but the extras mount up ever so quickly not to mention delivery and fitting. We don't want to have to get up the mast to fix things so a new VHF aerial and lights aren't optional. We've also chosen to have an inner stay and lazy jacks so care had to be taken to make sure the halyards and cleats would be adequate. The prices for the Z Spar we specified turned out to be significantly lower than Selden which makes quite a difference although we spent some of this on a new spinnaker pole! We've now carefully checked all the dimensions and specifications (all very fiddly & time consuming!) by comparison with the old mast, confirmed the order and are awaiting delivery. It will be interesting to see how the installation goes and see if there are any issues arising from the re-use of the original Hood furling mechanism. Everyone seems to be rather keen on selling masts so there must be quite a bit of margin in it for them; shame they don't all separate their services from mast sales. It seems a bit anti-competitive that some riggers are only prepared to fit masts they've supplied or maybe they just have lots of business on the go and can pick and choose.

The final dimensions of the blade to go on the inner stay have now been agreed with Ivan of Arun sails after numerous phone calls to get them right. A custom fitting to support the stay which will pass through the deck and onto the forward bulkhead (forming part of the anchor locker) is being made up. We're also having some fittings made up that will attach to the main bulkhead between the heads and the forepeak to allow some dedicated blocks to be fitted enabling the sail to be set up without taking the headsail down. The foot will be 1.9m long so the sail will be somewhere between a No3 Jib and a storm sail which, conveniently, is just about what we wanted. When the wind pipes up in future we'll be ready for it!

Work on the interior is progressing well too, the galley is nearly finished and much of the electrical equipment is now in place. It all fitted in rather well and should be quite accessible either behind the instrument panel or under the pilot berth by the batteries. What has been quite amazing is the amount of wire that's disappeared into the hull, almost 100 meters! Clive reckons that will be enough to sink the boat; I hope not but I'm not so sure that this and all the other kit installed will do much for speed in light airs!